Unsung Pollinators of the U.S.
Conservation begins with you!
Hello!
My name is Carolina, but my friends call me Caro. Welcome to my page!
Many people know me as a firefly or a lightning bug. There are actually over 2,000 different species of fireflies in the world and over 170 in the USA [6]
Three Cool Things About Me
I’m a beetle
I produce light with my abdomen (bottom).
I can synchronize my flashes with all the other females so we do a huge light display. [6]
Head
Thorax
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Wings
6 Legs
Compound Eyes
Abdomen - that GLOWS
Description
I am called Photinus carolinus, I am a species of rover firefly whose mating displays of synchronous flashing have fascinated both scientists and tourists. As individual females synchronize with males nearby, waves of alternating bright light and darkness seem to travel across the landscape. [3]
Scientific name: Photinus carolinus
Phylum: Arthropoda
Kingdom: Animalia
Rank: Species
Order: Beetles
Todays episode is all about the hunt to find the elusive Caro, a hover firefly in the hills of Tennessee
"Firefly" by KeitaroMiao is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
How to speak firefly[3]
Fireflies flash in patterns that are unique to each species. Each blinking pattern is used to help them find potential mates. Male fireflies typically fly through the air in search of a female by emitting a species-specific flashing pattern. Some fireflies only flash once, while others do so up to nine times. The females sit on the ground and wait until they see an impressive light display. They show their interest by responding with a single flash, timed to follow the males’ characteristic flashes in a species-specific manner.
In the how to speak firefly above, look closely at the last pattern. Six flashes, glide, six flashes glide. That is the pattern that I look for before I flash my six flashes and wait six flashes and wait so my mate can find me!
Video from Science Insider a great educational YouTube Channel
Thinking question:
What would it be like to be a firefly?
